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August 03, 2013|Kathy Andrews, Trinity College, Greater Hartford

Abby Jewett, AT&T Connecticut's director of External and Legislative Affairs, visited Trinity College's Dream Camp this week to announce a $10,000 donation in support of the camp's Mentor-In-Training (MIT) Program, an academic and summer leadership development program for economically challenged Hartford youth. The MIT Program engages Dream Camp children as they transition into young adults and mentors in their communities. The program accommodates 20 to 25 students, selected from the more than 250 students who attend Dream Camp, and specifically focuses on leadership, preparation for college, and job skills for 15 to 17-year-olds.

Jason Rojas, Trinity's Director of Community Relations, was on hand for the announcement. "Dream Camp's exemplary programming makes it possible for children from Hartford to progress to positions of responsibility, steadily supporting their personal and academic growth and setting them on a path towards college and job preparedness. With the support of AT&T and other donors, the camp is able to remain tuition-free," said Rojas.

Dream Camp serves children from kindergarten through high school and aims to improve academic achievement and school attendance; increase confidence and self-esteem; and increase the likelihood of campers attending and succeeding at a four-year college. "We're committed to helping students gain the skills necessary to advance their education and attend college," stated Dream Camp Program Director Mathew Proffitt. "Thanks to AT&T's generosity, we're able to continue serving local children."

"AT&T is proud to support Dream Camp and other initiatives that are committed to providing students with opportunities and skills necessary to compete and thrive in today's competitive marketplace," stated Abby Jewett, director External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T Connecticut.

Trinity College's Dream Camp was founded in 1998. Now in its 16th season, the summer camp and year-round academic mentoring program, run in partnership with the ESF Dream Camp Foundation, provides a fun, educational, and safe environment for about 250 Hartford-area children in the summer months, and up to 100 students during the academic year. Three major goals of the camp are to reduce the achievement gap between Hartford students and their suburban peers, combat summer learning loss, and increase academic success and the likelihood that campers will attend college.